• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2005.07b
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• pp.1008-1010
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• 2005

In the examination of steam generator(SG) tube in nuclear power plant, eddy current testing probes play an important role in detecting the defects. Bobbin probe and MRPC probe is usually used for the inspection of SG tube. Bobbin probe is good at high speed inspection, but ability of detection of circumferential defect is very weak. On the contrary MRPC probe, which moves for inspection in the direction of axial and circumferential simultaneously, has very slow inspection speed, but it has excellent detection capability for small cracks, which is hardly detected by bobbin probe. In this paper, for the accurate analysis of experimental ECT signals, construction of MRPC probe signals database according to the variation of defect size is the main purpose. Using 3-D finite element method, ECT signals are analyzed, and signals analysis add according to frequency ingredient. The results, which are analysis and characteristics ion of electromagnetism simulation signals, is databased.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.1784-1790
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• 2019

Accurate and consistent characterization of defects in steam generator tubes (SGT) in nuclear power plants is one of the key issues in the field of nondestructive testing since the large number of signals to be analyzed in a time-limited in-service inspection causes a serious problem in practice. This paper presents an effective approach to this difficult task of automated classification of motorized rotating pancake coil (MRPC) eddy current flaw acquired from tube specimens with deliberated defects using deep neural networks (DNN). This approach consists of five steps, namely, the data acquisition using the MRPC probe in the tube, the signal preprocessing to make data more suitable for training DNN, the data augmentation for boosting a training performance, the training of DNN, and finally demonstration of the trained DNN for discriminating the axial and circumferential defects. The high performance obtained in this study shows that DNN is useful for classification of defects in tubes from the MRPC eddy current signals even though the number of signals is very large.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.90-98
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• 2006

Signals captured from a Combo calibration standard tube paly a crucial role in the evaluation of motorized rotating pancake coil (MRPC) probe signals from steam generator (SG) tubes in nuclear power plants (NPPs). Therefore, the Combo tube signals should be consistent and accurate. However, MRPC probe signals are very easily affected by various factors around the tubes so that they can be distorted in their amplitudes and phase angles which are the values specifically used in the evaluation. To overcome this problem, in this study, we explored possibility of simulation to be used as a practical calibration tool far the evaluation of real field signals. For this purpose, we investigated the characteristics of a MRPC probe and a Combo tube. And then using commercial software (VIC-3D) we simulated a set of calibration signals and compared to the experimental signals. From this comparison, we verified the accuracy of the simulated signals. Finally, we evaluated two defects using the simulated Combo tube signals, and the results were compared with those obtained using the actual field calibration signals.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.218-218
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• 2003

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.1160-1167
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• 2018

Detectability of the loose parts (LPs) in steam generator (SG) was studied with eddy current testing technique such as X-probe, bobbin and rotating coils ($MRPC^{(R)}$) as a function of LP size and spacing between LP and tube or between LP and support structures. SG mockup simulating SG tube and support structures with LP was fabricated. The X-probe showed slightly better detectability than $MRPC^{(R)}$ for LP of ferrous (F-LP) material and vice versa for LP of nonferrous (NF-LP) material. In terms of feasibility, inspection rate and other predictable features of the SG tubing inspections, X-probe can be used reliably for monitoring the LPs and the flaws formed by LPs on SG tubes.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 1993

The steam generator tubes of the nuclear power plant should be inspected using eddy current techniques. Recently the crack-like defects become a major concern for the integrity of the steam generator tubes. These defects could be detected by the MRPC(Motorized Rotating Pancake Coil) method, not by the conventional bobbin coil method. In this paper it has been attempted to estimate the length of the cracks at the tube expansion region using of MRPC technique. The lengths of both axial and circumferential cracks show a tendency of overestimation compared to the real lengths. As the depths of the defects decrease from 100% through 50% of the wall thickness, the error of the length estimation is increased.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.25-31
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• 2009

Steam Generator(SG) tube is an important component of Nuclear Power Plant(NPP), which comprises of the pressure boundary of primary system. The integrity of SG tube has been confirmed by the eddy current test every outage. In Korea, Bobbin probe and MRPC probe have been generally used for the eddy current test. Meanwhile the usage of Array probe has gradually increased in U.S., Japan and other countries. In this study, we investigated the defect detection capability of the Array probe through its preliminary application to SG tube inspection. The Array probe has the equivalent capability in the defect detection and sizing as the conventional methods. Thus it is desirable that the Array probe is generally applied to SG tube inspection in the domestic NPPs.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.61-66
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• 2011

The integrity of the SG(Steam Generator) tubes has been challenged by numerous factors such as flaws, operation, atmosphere, inherently degraded materials, loose parts and even human errors. Of the factors, loose parts(or foreign materials) on the secondary side of the tubes can bring about volumetric defects and even leakage from the primary to the secondary side in a short period of time. More serious concerns about the loose parts are their unknown influx path and rapid growth rate of the defects affected by the loose parts. Therefore it is imperative to detect and characterize the foreign materials and the defects. As a part of the measures for loose part detection, TTS(Top of Tubesheet) MRPC(Motorized Rotating Pancake Coils) ECT has been carried out especially to the restricted high probability area of the loose part. However, in the presence of loose parts in the other areas, wide range loose part detection techniques are required. In this study, loose part standard tube was presented as a way to accurately detect and characterize loose part signals. And the SG tube ECT bobbin coil and MRPC ISI(In-service Inspection) data of domestic OPR-1000 and Westinghouse Model F(W_F) were reviewed and consequently, comprehensive loose part detection technique is derived especially by applying bobbin coil signals

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.34-39
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• 2008

Steam Generator(SG) tubes are classified as one of the key components in nuclear power plants, and they should be periodically examined by the intensified management program for the assurance and diagnosis of their structural integrity. In this study, we use the optimum analysis technique to draw the detection and categorization of bowing(BOW) signals; abnormal tube-to-tube proximity in the SG upper bundle free span area. The locations in which BOW signals are detected likely have latent degradation of ODSCC(Outer Diameter Stress Corrosion Cracking). For the sake of timely and correct detection of BOW signals and diagnosis of ODSCC, we carried out the experimental demonstrations using a reduced mock-up. And we validated the MRPC(Motorized Rotating Pancake Coil) analysis technique is better than the bobbin. Hence, it comes to conclusion that the optimum analysis technique can be a good alternative for the reliable SG tube examination.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.374-382
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• 2009

Steam generator(SG) tube, as a barrier isolating primary to the secondary coolant system of nuclear power plants(NPP), must maintain the structural integrity far the public safety and its efficient power generation capacity. And SG tubes bearing defects must be timely detected and taken repair measures if needed. For the accomplishment of these objectives, SG tubes have been periodically examined by eddy current testing(ECT) on the basis of administrative notices and intensified SG management program(SGMP). Stress corrosion cracking(SCC) on the SG tubes is not easily detected and even missed since it has lower signal amplitude and other disturbing factors against its detection. However once SCC is developed, that can cause detrimental affects to the SG tubes due to its rapid propagation rate. Accordingly SCC is categorized as prime damage mechanism challenging the soundness of the SG tubes. In this study, reproduced EDM notch specimens are examined for the detectability and quantitative characterization of the axial ODSCC by +PT MRPC probe, containing pancake, +PT and shielded pancake coils apart in a single plane around the circumference. The results of this study are assumed to be applicable fur providing key information of engineering evaluation of SCC and improvement of confidence level of ECT on SG tubes.